How to Determine a Model by the VIN Number

A standardized 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) has been affixed to vehicles sold in the United States since 1980. Prior to this standardization, manufacturers created their own identification numbers that varied in length and location on the vehicle. Standardized VINs use a combination of numbers and letters to identify specific information about a vehicle and to differentiate vehicles from each other. A complete VIN provides a number that is unique to that specific vehicle and can be used to establish a vehicle history.

• 1

  Read the first character of the VIN. This number or letter indicates the country where the vehicle was made. The following table lists the country codes:

  1, 4, 5 -- USA

  2 -- Canada

  3, 9 -- Mexico

  6 -- Australia

  J -- Japan

  K -- Korea

  S -- England

  T, W -- Germany

  V -- France

  Y -- Finland, Sweden

  Z -- Italy

• 2

  Locate the second character in the VIN. This indicates the manufacturer. The following table lists the codes and the make of vehicle they identify.

  1 -- Chevrolet

  2 -- Pontiac

  3 -- Oldsmobile

  4 -- Buick

  5 -- Pontiac

  6 -- Cadillac

  7 -- GM Canada

  8 -- Saturn

  A -- Audi or Jaguar

  B -- BMW or Dodge

  C -- Chrysler

  D -- Mercedes Benz

  F -- Ford

  G -- General Motors

  H -- Honda

  L -- Lincoln

  M -- Mercury

  N -- Nissan

  P -- Plymouth

  T -- Toyota

  V -- Volvo

• 3

  Interpret the fourth through the eighth characters. The information these numbers identify varies by manufacturer; for example, Ford uses the fifth through the seventh to identify its models and GMC uses the fifth and sixth characters to identify models. Compare the numbers or letters with a chart for that specific manufacturer to determine the specific model.